Cook Political Report rates Shaheen's open seat as 'lean Democrat'

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s (D) Senate seat as “lean Democrat” following the senator’s announcement she would not seek reelection in 2026.

While the seat may lean toward Democrats, Republicans have expressed optimism they can flip the seat. Last month, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) named New Hampshire as one of the committee’s six battleground states, along with Georgia, Michigan, Maine, North Carolina and Ohio.

Shaheen’s retirement follows Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith’s (D) announcement last month that she would not seek reelection and a retirement announcement in January from Michigan Sen. Gary Peters (D).

Scott celebrated news of the Democratic retirement in a statement Thursday.

“Another one! Shaheen's retirement is welcome news for Granite Staters eager for new leadership,” Scott said. “New Hampshire has a proud tradition of electing common-sense Republicans—and will do so again in 2026!"

Republicans are hoping to recruit former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) to run for the seat. Brown was spotted at the Capitol Tuesday afternoon visiting with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

The former Massachusetts senator, who unsuccessfully challenged Shaheen for her Senate seat in 2014, told The Hill that he’s thinking about running again.

Brown said in a post on social platform X that it’s time to have someone in the state’s delegation that supports President Trump.

“I appreciate [Shaheen]’s service to our state and for her support and vote for me as NH’s Ambassador to NZ and Samoa. Now it’s time for New Hampshire to have someone in the delegation who fights for our priorities and stands with, not against, the Trump agenda,” Brown said in the post.

Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has also been a target of Republican recruiting efforts and has said he does not have interest in running for Senate. However, he told The Washington Times this week he hasn’t “ruled it out completely.”

Topics

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Democrat, Won’t Run Again in 2026

Ms. Shaheen’s retirement will set off a high-stakes fight for an open seat in a state where she has been a leading political figure for decades.
The New York Times - 1d
Jeanne Shaheen won't run for re-election, opening another Democratic Senate seat in 2026

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., on Wednesday announced that she will not seek re-election in 2026, kicking off a competitive race to fill her seat.
NBC News - 1d
Shaheen to retire, setting up battle for New Hampshire Senate seat

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the senior Democratic senator from New Hampshire, has announced she will not run for reelection in 2026, creating an open-seat race in a battleground state former Vice ...
The Hill - 1d
Here's who could run for Shaheen's Senate seat in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) kicked off an open race for her Senate seat with her announcement Wednesday that she would not seek another term in office. Shaheen’s announcement makes her ...
The Hill - 1d
Jeanne Shaheen Is Right to Retire

Jeanne Shaheen, 78, is the latest Senate Democrat to say she won’t run for re-election. It’s the right call, and there’s still time for others to follow.
The New York Times - 1d
‘It’s an open question’ whether U.S. headed toward government shutdown

NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Sahil Kapur, former Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) and Sarah Chamberlain join Meet the Press NOW to discuss how Senate Democrats might vote on a GOP funding ...
NBC News - 1d
Democrat wins special election for Minnesota state House seat

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate David Gottfried is projected to win a special election for a seat in the Minnesota House, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gottfried, a pro bono ...
The Hill - 1d
House funding vote puts Senate Democrats in a bind: From the Politics Desk

Senate Democrats are in a politically precarious position after the House passed a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown.
NBC News - 1d
Did Covid Open the Door to a Measles Outbreak?

Measles vaccination rates among kindergarteners have been falling since the Covid-19 pandemic. Teddy Rosenbluth, a health reporter at The New York Times, explains why that has experts worried.
The New York Times - 2d
Democrats talking out response to Trump administration at issues conference

House Democrats have kicked off their annual issues conference with the lawmakers discussing their approach to the Trump administration. CBS News political reporter Hunter Woodall has more.
CBS News - 8h
Elon Musk Is Making Republicans Sweat and Giving Democrats a New Target

His unusual governing arrangement with President Trump is opening Republicans up to being yoked politically to Mr. Musk, who polls show is broadly unpopular.
The New York Times - 5d
House Democrats have 'a lot of incentives' to vote against short-term funding bill

NBC Senior National Political Reporter Sahil Kapur joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss Speaker Johnson's plan to fund the government as top Democrats urge the House to reject the short-term funding ...
NBC News - 3d
A Political Reporter Takes Her Scoops to YouTube

Most online political media stars traffic in highly partisan viewpoints. Tara Palmeri hopes that playing it straight will pay off.
The New York Times - 4d
Democrats struggle against relentless Republican hammering on immigration

Republicans put Democrats in the hot seat as they continue to try and win the messaging wars on immigration policy.
Politico - Mar. 5
Senate Democrats leery of blocking GOP bill fear shutdown politics have changed

Senate Democrats are leery of blocking a House Republican-drafted six-month government funding bill, fearing that a government shutdown may backfire on them politically by giving Elon Musk and the ...
The Hill - 2d
Aaron Rodgers' decision could come Tuesday, QB leaning toward Steelers, per report

Could Rodgers be in black and yellow next season?
CBS Sports - 2d
Senate Democrats make their move in the shutdown fight: From the Politics Desk

The House’s passage of a Republican stopgap funding bill has put Senate Democrats in a bind: Either back a measure they disapprove of and give up some of the only leverage they will have on major ...
NBC News - 1d
Thune 'open' to giving Dems amendment vote to help keep government open

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday that Republicans are open to giving Democrats an amendment vote on a monthlong stopgap funding patch in exchange for votes to help ...
The Hill - 7h
Pete Buttigieg says he won't run for Senate, leaving door open for possible White House bid

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday he won't seek an open Senate seat in Michigan next year, keeping the door open for a possible White House bid in 2028.
CBS News - 5h
Pete Buttigieg says he won't run for Senate, leaving door open for possible White House bid

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Thursday he won't seek an open Senate seat in Michigan next year, keeping the door open for a possible White House bid in 2028.
CBS News - 5h
2025 managerial hot seat: Four MLB managers whose jobs are on the line, including John Schneider, Oli Marmol

Opening Day is around the corner and it's time for these managers to prove they've still got it
CBS Sports - 8h
Evening Report — Senate Democrats under pressure over stopgap

Presented by National Council on Aging {beacon} Evening Report TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS © Greg Nash Senate Dems under pressure over stopgap THE PRESSURE IN CONGRESS has shifted to Senate Democrats, ...
The Hill - 1d
Pappas considering Senate run after Shaheen announces retirement

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement on Wednesday.
Politico - 1d
Democrats reintroduce CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination

Democrats have reintroduced federal legislation to ban hair discrimination. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) reintroduced the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act, or CROWN ...
The Hill - 2d
Should you open a home equity loan before the March Fed meeting?

With the Fed set to meet soon to determine interest rate policy, homeowners may be thinking of taking action now.
CBS News - 3d
Revealed: House of Lords members have given £109m to political parties

Conservatives benefit most from donations provided either before or after peers secured their seats. Cash before honours: the Tory donors made peers who barely speak in Lords . Peers who sat ...
The Guardian - 4d
CNBC Daily Open: The effect of Trump policies will sway Fed’s interest rate moves

U.S. President Donald Trump's policies to reshape the U.S. and its economy are so drastic that the Federal Reserve is taking note.
CNBC - 3d
Stock market opens low following Wall Street's worst day in years

The stock market opened in the red as a major sell off continues prompted by fears of a recession and uncertainty from President Donald Trump's tariffs. NBC News' Brian Cheung reports on what could ...
NBC News - 2d
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna eyes anti-corruption agenda in bid to reform party

California Rep. Ro Khanna is not only taking stock of the Democrats' stinging defeat last fall, but also taking shots at his own political party.
ABC News - 3d
Jeanne Shaheen not running for Senate reelection in New Hampshire

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire announced she will not be running for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026.
CBS News - 1d
Germany’s political upheaval and the transatlantic alliance’s uncertain future

Germany has emerged from its recent election with a grand coalition of the center-right CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party likely, but the rise of the far-right AfD party and its ...
The Hill - 4d
Measles on the rise in U.S. with infections reported in 15 states

Measles is spreading across the country at an increasingly alarming rate. Health officials are reporting cases of the highly infectious disease in more than a dozen states. CBS News' Omar ...
CBS News - 23h
12:30 Report — New Senate retirement rocks Democrats

{beacon} 12:30 REPORT It’s Wednesday. Can you believe it was five years ago this week that COVID-19 began to shut down the world? Walt Disney World closed on March 12 and the first batch of ...
The Hill - 1d
12:30 Report — Democrats play few cards in shutdown fight

{beacon} 12:30 REPORT Happy Thursday! Today's forecast in DC: ☁️ 48° (Find your weather here) In this edition: White House abruptly yanks CDC nominee Senate Dems look for cover in funding battle ...
The Hill - 5h
'SNL' cold open spoofs Rubio, Musk clash mediated by Trump

The recent “Saturday Night Live” cold open spoofed a reported clash between tech billionaire Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In the sketch, James Austin Johnson’s President Trump is ...
The Hill - 4d
Former Bristol MP takes seat in House of Lords

A former Bristol MP and shadow minister takes her seat in the House of Lords.
BBC News - 3d
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says Democrats played 2024 elections too "safe"

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is now weighing in on what Democrats should have done better in 2024. Political strategists Joel Payne and Michael LaRosa join "America Decides" with analysis.
CBS News - 2d
House Republicans unveil spending bill boosting defense and trimming all else

Strategy is not likely to earn Democrats’ votes, so Trump is leaning on Republicans to force it through. US House Republicans unveiled a spending bill Saturday that would keep federal agencies ...
The Guardian - 5d
Democrats ‘applying maximum hurt’ for ‘political gain’ in government funding fight: GOP lawmaker

President Trump is urging Republicans to support Speaker Mike Johnson’s short-term government funding bill. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the upcoming vote.
NBC News - 2d